'Take the time to massage your cleanser into your skin before bed to remove all the dirt and impurities built up during the day – this will allow your skin to recover and repair itself overnight.'

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Beauty counters are brimming with cleansers, which can make it hard to know which one is right for you.

A cleansing balm will hydrate and clean your skin without leaving it feeling tight and tingly.

Every morning and evening massage a coin-sized amount onto your face before gently washing it off with a warm, damp flannel.

Using a face cloth or flannel will help to gently exfoliate your skin and slough off any remnants of dead skin cells. Excess oil in ethnic skin is a common problem, but don't make the mistake of using foaming gel cleansers as most of them are harsh and can strip away the skin's natural oil.

Dr Murad says, 'Many people are hesitant to put oil-based products on their skin in case it clogs their pores or causes breakouts. This is a misconception. Even oily skin needs moisture – it just needs the right kind.'

Sunscreen should also be a part of your everyday skincare routine; in fact it's essential to avoid the risk of premature ageing, pigmentation, discolouration and skin cancer.

A common myth is that darker skin is strong enough to take on the sun's powerful UV rays. 'Although dark skin produces more melanin than Caucasian skin it's still very important to apply sunscreen daily,' says beauty expert and cosmedic coach, Antonia Mariconda.

After cleansing in the morning apply a moisturiser or sun cream with a minimum of factor 15, or factor 30 for holidays and sunny weather.

Finally, invest in a serum and apply it every night after cleansing.

Serums contain a higher concentration of active ingredients so you only need to apply a tiny amount. These ingredients work overnight to repair the skin while you sleep.

Weekly ritual

Darker skin tends to suffer more from dullness so it needs to be exfoliated at least twice a week.

Steer clear of abrasive exfoliators with large, grainy particles as they tend to be harsh, especially on sensitive and oily, spot-prone skin.

Weekly or fortnightly face masks are great if you want to treat your skin to some pampering, but they aren't essential.

Most of them will sit on the top of the skin, giving it a short term boost of radiance, hydration or plumping, but it rarely penetrates any deeper than that.

Paler, Caucasian skins will benefit more from a rich, moisturising face mask as it tends to be drier.

Foods to feed your skin long-term

A bad diet reflects directly onto our skin so it's important that we feed our bodies the right nutrients to make it healthier and stronger.

'A high fat and sugar-laden diet will lead to lacklustre skin, brittle nails and dull and lifeless hair,' warns Dr Murad.

'Eating well is one of the most important things you can do for your skin.'

Start by cutting down the amount of sugar in your diet as this is one of the major culprits of premature ageing.

Over time, excessive sugar consumption will break down the collagen in our skin, leaving it dull, lacklustre and wrinkly.

Food rich in fatty acids is also essential for beautiful, healthy skin.

'Fatty acids are essential because they are not produced by the human body, yet are vital for our survival,' explains Dr Murad.

'They help to improve the strength of the cell membrane in our skin, which weakens with age. 'It also supports the skin's healing processes and speeds up the repair of any blemish'.

Introduce fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and trout, which are high in fatty acids and omega-3, into your diet.

Facials

Monthly or occasional facials are a great way to give skin a boost, but avoid having one right before a special event or wedding in case your skin has a reaction to it.

A good therapist will assess your skin before carrying out any treatments to make sure it suits your skin type.

Darker skin tends to be oiler so a facial that cleanses the skin, draws out impurities and extracts excess oil is ideal to prevent spots or acne.

As ethnic skin is also more prone to scarring, blemishes and pigmentation, it might require stronger treatments such as a derma roller or laser therapy, usually done over a long-term period.

Under eye circles

Ethnic women tend to suffer more from dark under eye circles and although this is usually down to genetics, diet and lifestyle can also play a big part.

'Fatigue, stress and bad habits all contribute to dark circles and bags under the eyes,' explains Antonia. 'Fixing it is simple; cut down on your alcohol intake, stop smoking (or at least cut down), and get at least seven hours of sleep every night.

'Regular exercise will also improve blood flow to the skin and subsequently helps rid it of toxins, making your eyes look fresher and brighter.'

Want to know more about ethnic beauty?

Ethnic skincare: Just like different skin types, different ethnicities also come with their own set of skincare problems.

The rise in double eyelid surgery: Double eyelid surgery, once thought of as controversial, has become so widespread that it's now more popular than a nose job in the UK and USA.

Ethnic suncare: One of the biggest skincare myths is that people with darker skin do not need much or any protection from the sun.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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